Disasters can occur at any moment. Whether we are at home, work or school, it is important for us to continually be prepared. Once disaster strikes, it could potentially take up to 72 hours for you and your family to receive aid. By creating an emergency supply kit, we can better keep ourselves and our families safe during an disaster.
Supplies*
There are six basic items you should stock in your home:
Water
- Store one gallon of water per person, per day
- Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household
- Water should be stored in plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles. Do not store water in containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass
- Keep in mind – hot environments, increased physical activity, children, nursing mothers, and ill persons require more water
Food
- Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Include food items that do not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking
- Select foods that are compact and lightweight
- If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno
- Examples of food items include:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
- Canned juices, milk, soup (be sure to have a can opener in your kit if necessary)
- Sugar, salt, pepper
- Peanut Butter, jelly, crackers, trail mix
- Cookies, hard candies, instant coffee or tea
- Keep in mind – do not forgot to take into consideration any elderly persons, special diets, infants and pets
First Aid Supplies
A first aid kit should include:
- Sterile, adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Gauze pads
- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleaning agent/soap
- Latex gloves
- Sunscreen
- Aspirin or other pain reliever
Clothing and Bedding
- Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person to include:
- Sturdy shoes or work boots (avoid sandals and open toed shoes)
- Seasonal Gear (depending on conditions in your area)
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Hat and gloves
Tools and Emergency Supplies
- Battery-operated or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries (always stored separate from your battery-powered devices)
- Cash
- Can Opener
- Pliers
- Tape
- Matches (in a water proof container)
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
- Whistle
- Paper, pencil
- Map of area
- Sanitation Items
- Toilet paper, towelettes
- Soap
- Feminine supplies
- Personal Hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags
Additional Items
- Medications
- Pet Supplies
- Supplies for babies, infants, or elderly persons
- Emergency contact information
- It is recommended to have a local and non-local emergency contact (identify these numbers in your family plan)
- Important family documents/Copies of important documents
- Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
- Passports, immunization records
- Bank/Credit Card information (account numbers and contact numbers)
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
- Entertainment (games and books)
Things to Keep in Mind
- Emergency supply kit should be in a convenient place known to all family members
- If possible, create a smaller kit for your vehicle
- Check kits every 6 months – update as necessary and look for expiration dates on applicable items
- Rotate food and water supply every 6 months
*The above items listed are suggestions of what to include in your emergency supply kit. It is important to note, items included in an emergency supply kit will vary based on individual and family needs.